Potawatomi Conservatories reopen Friday

Potawatomi Conservatories reopen Friday

SOUTH BEND -- Passers-by will notice several dramatic changes to the Potawatomi Conservatories on Mishawaka Avenue.

Not only do its new front windows allow people to see into the conservatory from the street, but a parking lot on the east end of the buildings makes it much more accessible.

"We wanted to make the buildings more energy efficient," said Phil St. Clair, director of the South Bend Parks & Recreation, which owns the conservatories.

In 2006, the parks department nearly closed the facilities because of budget cuts and the high cost of heating the place.

After the community rallied in support of the facilities, the parks department formed a partnership with the Botanical Society of South Bend, which took over management of the buildings, and together they looked into renovating the site, which includes the Ella Morris Conservatory and the Muessel-Ellison Conservatory and Desert Dome.

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"Overall, it was approximately a $1.2 million upgrade," St. Clair said, explaining that $60,000 came from a grant the Botanical Society received and the rest came from Local Option Income Tax money.

The funds were used to upgrade the heating system with the purchase of a new high-efficiency hot water boiler and portable unit gas heaters that hang from the ceiling. Also, the plumbing and electrical wiring throughout the facilities were updated.

Other changes include new flooring and windows; repairs to interior and exterior brick walls; new coats of paint; and an approximately 1,600-square-foot addition that includes a potting room, a mechanical room and accessible restrooms.

There are plans for a rain garden to the east of the buildings.

"It was very time-consuming," said Heidi Gray, the conservatories' manager, of the renovations, which began last November.

"It was a challenge for the construction workers to work in this environment. They brought in cranes and lifts so they could work around and above the plants."

The crew will finish today, just in time for the conservatories' grand opening Friday and open house Saturday.

She hopes the new parking lot and the sign outside will attract more visitors, since the lack of both often led people to call the conservatories asking if they were open to the public.

"Now, there is also a sidewalk that connects our front entryway and parking lot with the Kids' Kingdom parking lot," she said. "When we have larger events, the overflow parking will be there."

The facilities are already used for weddings, receptions, birthday parties, musical events, gardening classes, book clubs and a Saturday yoga class, she said, and plans are under way for a tai chi class, an evening yoga class and a fairy gardening class.

"We would like to invite more of the art community to spend their time here," she said, explaining that photographers and artists sometimes utilize the green spaces.

In hopes of reaching more of the community, the Botanical Society has created a new logo for the conservatories and has formed committees for marketing and events, membership and volunteers, and plant collection.

"Our Botanical Society partners will do a great job with marketing," St. Clair said, explaining that in the future perhaps the parks department might add an addition to allow the conservatories to host even larger events.

Potawatomi Conservatories, on Mishawaka Avenue near Ironwood Drive, will hold its grand reopening and ribbon-cutting ceremony from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday. An open house also will be held during the River Park Parade on Saturday. For information, visit Potawatomi Conservatories on Facebook.